Country Dog Names: Finding the Perfect Name for your Country Dog

Country life is much different than living in the city and comes with a different set of challenges and duties. In the same manner, naming country dogs is slightly different than naming city dogs. Why? Because if you want your dog to be smart and assertive like those in the old movies that can herd animals and keep watch over a wide expanse of land, you’ll want to give them country dog names that reflect that.

Country dogs are known to be alert and responsive. They are tough, intelligent, and no matter how far they roam, they will always go back to their owner when called. Country dog names are not just limited to actual country dogs. Even if you live in the city, if you want your newly adopted puppy to be just as smart and reliable as these dogs, you can give them a country dog-inspired name.

In this article, we’re going to talk about how to name your dog and provide you with some amazing country dog names to choose from. Right now you may only have a limited idea of which dog names give off a suitable country nuance, but by the time you’ve gone through all of this article, you will have more than enough options to choose from.

City Dogs vs. Country Dogs

Before we move on to the recommendations, we would first like to help you understand the difference between city dogs and country dogs and why they deserve different names. The difference specifically in their status.

City dogs are usually kept inside or in a yard, and when out on the street, they’re leashed. Meaning, they’re highly domesticated, and though they may be naturally agile and quick, they’re not using their skills as much as country dogs.

Country dogs are usually off leash and roaming their properties. If a country home has livestock, then they’re guarding or herding. So, from puppies, country dogs are trained to use their natural skills on a daily basis. Thus, if you want your dog to be a proper country dog, you’re going to have to give a reliable-sounding country name.

The Best Country Dog Names

We want you to be able to find the best name for your country dog. Therefore, we urge you to go through our list and see which ones you like the best. Make sure that you write down the names that stuck to you so that you can test it out on your dog.

Country Dog Names by Gender

We broke down the list into two categories: male and female names. This will make it easier for you to decide on a name. But do remember that some of these names are unisex, so go through both lists and see which ones you like the best.

County Dog Names by Gender #1: Male Names

When it comes to naming your male dog, you want them to have a strong country name: a name which makes them feel masculine, dominant and powerful when they’re herding cattle or guarding livestock.

Their name should give them purpose and encompass their life in the open country. Here are some of the best country male dog names that fulfill those criteria:

Vince

Cash

Buck

Garth

Hank

Randy

Billy

Willy

Banjo

Porkchop

Gunner

Duke

Bullet

Kenny

Colt

Toby

Judd

Zac

Whiskey

Elvis

Bo

County Dog Names by Gender #2: Female Names

Contrary to popular belief, female country dogs do not have to be given a name which is soft and gentle. There’s a high chance that she will be guarding livestock or herding cattle as well.

Your female country dog will be quick on her feet and fast thinking. Thus, she needs a name which will give her the feeling that she’s in control of her duties. Here are some of the best country female dog names that you can give to your newly adopted puppy in hopes that she will grow up to be a strong team member on the farm:

Reba

Belle

Lassie

Brandy

Georgia

Patsy

Bailey

Shelby

Taylor

Carrie

Loretta

Dixie

Miley

Brooks

Country Dog Names by Job

Perhaps you don’t like naming your dog by gender distinction. Rather, to make things easier for you and the people around you, you’d like to name the dog by his or her designated jobs.

This is a great idea since you’ll most likely count on your country dog to do a particular job around the country house for a good time period. Examples of dog names based on their job include:

Cowgirl/Cowboy

Sherriff

Trapper

Bud

Hunter

Tank

Country Dog Names by Personality

No two dogs are alike. So, before throwing a name onto your dog, take a couple days or weeks to see what kind of dog they are. Maybe they’re very proud, shy or loud. You need some time to see how they interact with you, the way they give affection, etc.

These aspects can greatly affect the name you decide to give them. For example, you wouldn’t want to give a quiet dog the name Barker any more than you’ll want to give a loud dog the name Whisper. Examples of country dog names based on personality include:

Yeller

Howler

Hardy

Rascal

Bandit

Lady

Faith

Dolly

Missy

Did you find a name you like above? Don’t worry if you didn’t. There are many more country dog name options out there. It is impossible for us to list them all here.

Therefore, rather than simply hand the names to you, we are also going to teach you how to generate good country dog names on your own. That way, only the sky and your own creativity is the limit.

How to Name Your Country Dog

Though the tone you use with your dog is important, the name is also important. Why? Because you’re saying it and you’re going to be saying it over and over again for the rest of their lives. So the name you decide on will affect the way you command them or praise them. In essence, the name you choose affects the amount of respect they’ll give you as a master.

With a country dog, you want them to be responsive and alert. Thus, you need them to be quick to hear your commands. Here are some helpful tips on how to come up with a name like that:

Keep the Name Short

You don’t want to give your dog a name that’s going to be a mouthful to say. As a country dog, you want a short and quick name that they’ll be able to react to instantaneously.

As a rule of thumb, do not go over two syllables when it comes to finding a name. If you try for three syllables, it’ll be a hassle to say, and they’re not going to listen as well when you call them.

Also, you want your dog to react to their name regardless of who’s saying it. This is why it’s important to keep it short. If your dog is herding sheep or cattle, they need to be quick and easy to direct.

Do Not Have the Name Sounding Like a Command

See, dogs have limitations. Have you talked to your dog in an angry tone and saw their head go down? They understand the tone, not what you’re saying. You don’t want to be scolding them with a word that sounds similar to their name. Keep them separate, so your dog won’t be confused.

No and yes are commands, and they should sound entirely different than the name you’re going to give your dog. If you name your dog something that sounds similar to ‘sit’ or ‘stay,’ they’ll become easily confused between the command and their name.

Use Sharp Consonants

Dogs have excellent hearing, so, using sharp consonants will aid in getting their attention. We recommend using names that start with d, t, k, s, sh, or ch. In addition, we also recommend that the end of the name should finish with a vowel such as a long ‘e’ or a short ‘a.’ Of course, if you choose a name which doesn’t have sharp consonants in them, that’s also okay. However, this is usually more effective.

Don’t Name Them After People/Things Around Them

You may think it’s cute to name your dog after you, which it is, but if they’re a country dog, we recommend you don’t. You don’t want them becoming confused when someone calls out your name.

Stay away from naming your dog something that’s frequently used around them. For example, if you plant corn in the fields and you name your dog Cornfield, he’ll think you’re calling his name every time you tell someone you’re heading out to the fields. You want their name to be understandable to them, thus, pick a name that won’t confuse them.

Test Out Their Name

They may not react as well to their name as you thought, so, before making it permanent, we suggest you test out their name for a couple of days. They may respond better to a different name and if that’s the case, start calling them that instead.

Generally, dogs should be able to easily respond to any name as long as it is short and has a sharp consonant. However, if after a couple of days you do not see any progress, try a different name. Your dog may not like that particular name for one reason or another.

It’s important for your dog to like his name, but don’t forget that the name should be one you like as well. You’re going to be calling this name out on the open fields, in front of your friends and family, so choose a name which makes you proud.

Wrap Up

No matter if you’re living in the city or rural areas, getting a new puppy is an exciting adventure. They’re now a member of your family, and you’re responsible for raising and training this new puppy. Of course, for the first little while, you’ll probably be calling your puppy, “puppy,” however, that can’t last forever. Eventually, you’re going to have to give your puppy a name.

If you were to ask your parents why you were given your name, they would have an answer. Your name may represent strength, loyalty, courage, etc. They gave you your name because that is the person they saw in you.

With a dog, you want to give them a name which represents them, but also stick to a name which identifies them as a dog. Now, we’re not saying you should name your dog Annie or Mark. These names aren’t bad. However, it does lead us to anthropomorphize our pets.

You do not want to have yourself believing that your dog is more of a human than of a dog. This is when you end up dressing your dog in costumes and baby talk to him/her. If you want a serious country dog, it’s not going to happen if you go down that road.

If you just bought a country dog, you’re already well aware of some of the best herding and livestock guarding breeds. Of course, though they may have the “country” in their blood, you’re still going to have to invest the time into training them. This is why choosing a name is so important for you and your dog as you need a name which will get their attention.

We’ve talked about the importance of a name, tips on how to choose the best country name for your dog and showed you a list of female and male dog names. Now, everything is in your hands. Take your time when it comes to naming your country dog and have fun with the experience.

Do you already have a country dog? What do you think is a good country dog name? We’re sure we missed some great country dog names in the list above since there’s just so many possibilities. If you have a great country dog name that you think should be more popular, let us know in the comment section below!

Wyatt Robinson had a great 25-years career as a veterinarian in United Kingdom. He used to be a member of British Veterinary Association and worked in 3 pet hospitals in London and Manchester. He is shining when he sees his pets healthy and full of energy and it is his duty to help other dog owners to keep their best friends full of life.

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